Hayao Miyazaki Retires From Making Feature Films

Quote: Studio Ghibli President Koji Hoshino announced on Sunday that studio
founder and world-renowned anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki will "retire from the
production of feature-length films." The announcement was made during a press conference at Italy's Venice
Film Festival, one of the three most prestigious film festivals in the world. Ghibli's
announcement does not rule out the possibility of Miyazaki working on shorter projects or other
endeavors.

The 72-year-old director's 11th and latest feature film, The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu), has been playing in theaters in
Japan since July 20. The film was nominated in the competitive program at the Venice Film Festival, which is running
from August 28 to September 7.

Miyazaki rose to prominence in the 1970s on such television anime series as Lupin III, Future Boy Conan, and Sherlock
Hound. He directed his first feature film, Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro, in 1979. He then adapted the beginning
of his Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind manga into an anime film in 1984, before he and fellow director Isao Takahata
founded Studio Ghibli.

With Ghibli, Miyazaki helmed the feature films Laputa: Castle in the Sky, My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service,
Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo, and finally, The Wind Rises. He also
co-produced Takahata's directorial efforts and directed smaller projects such as the "experimental film" On
Your Mark and Ghibli Museum Shorts such as Mei and the Kitten Bus and Mr. Dough and the Egg Princess.

Spirited Away remains the highest earning film ever at the Japanese box office, 12 years after it opened in 2001. It won
the Academy Award for Best Animated Film in 2003.

In an interview on Japanese television channel TBS's Ō-sama no Brunch program, Miyazaki revealed that he is open to the
possibility of a Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind film sequel. However, he would leave such a hypothetical project in
the hands of Nausicaä key animator and Evangelion director Hideaki Anno. Anno collaborated with Miyazaki and Ghibli on
"Kyoshinhei Tokyo ni Arawaru" (Giant God Warrior Appears in Tokyo), last year's live-action tokusatsu
(special-effects) short, and he then voiced the lead role in Miyazaki's The Wind Rises.

...death wails aside, I can see why he would be ready to retire at 72, especially since it looks like he will be
stopping on a high note. Still, it is a shame. I liked that his movies had appeal even to people who don't usually watch
anime because he didnt succumb to the stereotypes that a lot of people associate with anime.

There's a skinny girl who lives inside of me that's trying to get out, but I can usually shut her up with cookies.
"Dance like no one's watching. Sing like no one's listening. Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've
never been hurt before. Live like there's no tomorrow."

i couldn't even write a proper comment right now. haha.
i'm quite at a loss for words to say..... ಥ_ಥ

GAWD. my memories of his films come flashing in my mind right now. this is SO SAD. (TTTT^TTTT)
as much as i want him to continue, i also concur with Snicker. he has definitely earned that retirement if he wants
to.
his legacy will forever be in my mind and heart. even if he retires now, i still hope that Studio Ghibli will continue
to make amazing and breathtaking films.

hoping also that this will not be the last that we hear or see from him.

I'm as sad as the first time I watched Grave of the Fireflies.. really sad news.. but Hayao Miyazaki sensei its just
72.. let's hope he lives 'till his 100th birthday and he keeps doing projects on his own =/

There's always one who plants an evil seed and
preaches fear to pull you to the other side
Into a world of lies.

This is a very sad news but I wish Hayao Miyazaki all the best in his retirement days. Time for him to rest after all
the years of hardwork. Thank you for all the marvellous movies that will live in my heart forever! I will not forget the
magic I feel when I watch Spirited Away. *thumbs up*

Aw so sad to see this ;_;
but feeling happy for him, he did such a wonderful job, more than sad I am thankful to have the luck of watching almost
all of his wonderful films, which always had that special feeling. And is not that he's going to shut in his room from
now on, I'm sure he will come with more new and wonderful stuff, also he has a legacy that will continue making
wonderful stories ;).